Hanoi, Oct. 1 -- The declaration underscores the urgent need to strengthen international cooperation in combating crimes committed by individuals who exploit the territory of one country to commit offences in another, as well as in identifying, apprehending, receiving and escorting wanted persons within the region.

Such efforts are essential to building a law-abiding ASEAN free from wanted fugitives.

It reaffirmed the strong political commitment and determination to combat criminal fugitives and called for maintaining conferences of this kind as long-term mechanisms for dialogue, coordination and enhanced regional cooperation.

The declaration also set strategic orientations for regional cooperation in fugitive criminals as an emerging ...